NK Soldier Recovering

[Anchor Lead]

The severely injured North Korean soldier has recovered consciousness. The hospital treating the soldier quoted him as saying that he voluntarily defected to South Korea with higher expectations for life in the South.

[Pkg]

The 24-year-old North Korean soldier received a blood transfusion equal to the amount of blood flowing in three adults during two surgeries.

[Soundbite] Lee Kook-jong(Head of Trauma Center, Ajou University Hospital) : "There is none of his own blood in his body. It sounds unrealistic. Certainly, he is holding on well, since he received special training."

Professor Lee Kook-jong stressed that thanks to the 12,000 CCs of blood donated by South Korean people, the soldier was able maintain his life. The doctor said that the patient is now clearly conscious.

[Soundbite] "He said that it had been really painful at first when he got shot and that he is no longer in pain,"

A South Korean idol girl group's song was played to promote his recovery.

[Soundbite] "Girls' Generation's "Gee" was played. He said that he likes the original version best."

He is blocked from receiving news reports out of concern for culture shock. But he is being shown movies instead.

[Soundbite] "We mostly turn movie channels on. He likes U.S. movies best."

Doctor Lee complained about speculative reports by media outlets and a controversy in the political sector.

[Soundbite] "Excessive attention is given and confusion can be caused by incorrect reports."

The medical team plans to move the soldier to a general ward as early as this weekend. They will also treat his hepatitis B, which was found during a follow-up examination.